The Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has commenced a nationwide stakeholder engagement and social mobilization on the proposed 100 solar powered borehole project across Sierra Leone with Freetown as an exception.
The engagement started in Port Loko at the District Council before the team proceeded to Kambia at its District Council as well.
The SALWACO team comprised Sheku Putka Kamara, SALWACO’s National Senior Communications Officer (Ag. Director of Communication, Gender and Outreach) and Ing. John Hallowel, who’s a Senior Project Engineer attached to the SALWACO Directorate of Project Management. In Port Loko, the two senior officers joined the Port Loko Station Manager, Ing. Hamid Alpha Kamara (Ag. Regional Manager) and the SALWACO Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Mohamed Sankoh.
In Port Loko, the Chairman of the Council raised salient directives, urging SALWACO to do things with precision and to deliver accordingly. He assured of the council’s commitment to support the full implementation of the project and to see that the best possible results are achieved.
Ing. Hamid touched on the value of the project and the need for people to fully own same. Ing. Hallowel highlighted some essential virtues that are needed to make the project successful.
In Kambia, the District Council Chairperson asked for the full involvement of council in making sure that the project becomes a reality. Similar sentiments were established by others present.
For both locations, people asked and looked forward to proper planning, implementation and monitoring. They also urged SALWACO to be able to do the much needed maintenance on the facilities when constructed. They also discussed the durability of the project and the suitability of proposed project sites.
SALWACO made it clearer that on the project terms and conditions, flexibility would be applied where appropriate. The team also urged stakeholders to take fully ownership of the facilities, adding that the water would be of high standard and quality. In Kambia, Station Manager, Ing. Claude and Finance Officer, Alim Bangura were also in attendance and made valuable inputs.
The engagements would be cascaded to all other parts of the country. SALWACO has designated three teams to do the tours across with the Deputy Managing Director, Apostle Dr. Albert Harrison Harvey (Ag. MD) as leader of the delegation. Project Engineer, Ing. Marilyn George who’s the project’s lead coordinator would also be making tours and specific assessments nationwide. SALWACO’s Planning and Policy Manager, Chrisla Koroma would also be heading another delegation; all of which will be reaching out to different locations.
Senior Communications Officer, Mohamed Metzger Esq. and Communication Officer, Victoria Saffa-Koroma would be attached to the other two teams in bringing up to date information and reports as occurrences ensued.
Sierra Leone Ambassador to Türkiye Francess Virginia Anderson Hosts First Investment and Trade Seminar, Says Country Offers Numerous Business opportunities To Genuine Investors
Wyndham Grand Hotel and Conference Center, Istanbul, Türkiye, Friday 30 May 2025 – Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Türkiye, her Excellency Ambassador Francess Virginia Anderson, PhD, hosts First Sierra Leone – Türkiye Investment and Trade Seminar, and has said that the country offers numerous business opportunities to genuine investors intending to do business with the country.
The Seminar brought together a high-power delegation from Sierra Leone, which included: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, the Minister of Trade and Industry, the Minister of Tourism and Culture, the Executive Director of the National Investment Board, among others.
On the Turkish side, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Trade, representatives from the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye, and other business tycoons, were in attendance.
In a welcome address, Her Excellency Frances Virginia Anderson, PhD, said she was honored to welcome guests to such a historic event, adding that Sierra Leone is rapidly becoming an attractive destination for investment, businesses and trade.
“The country hosts a range of prominent international companies, numerous small and medium sized enterprises. The country offers significant opportunities for businesses, new markets, and an evolving infrastructure”, she assured.
Ambassador Anderson told the gathering that the “Big Five Game Changers” of the New Direction Government were a central component of President Julius Maada Bio’s development agenda for Sierra Leone: Agricultural Transformation (Feed Salone) , Free Quality Education, Youth Employment Scheme, Infrastructure Development, and Revamping the Public Service Architecture, Technological development, underscored Sierra Leone’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in economic growth through international partnership.
“Sierra Leone is rapidly becoming an attractive destination for investment and trade, the country holds a host of international companies. This Seminar will represent a unique opportunity to explore the untapped potential of one of Africa’s most promising investment destinations, Sierra Leone”, Ambassador Anderson noted.
The Minister of Foreign Minister and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Musa Timothy Kabbah said it was with profound honour and genuine optimism that he delivered an address at Sierra Leone–Türkiye Investment Seminar, saying that such program demonstrated the value Sierra Leone attached to the friendship with Türkiye.
“Today, we are gathered here not to simply represent our businesses’ interests, but also, because we have a shared vision, Sierra Leone – Türkiye, that is why we have committed ourselves to have this high level of congregation of business persons and representatives of the government of Sierra Leone”, he noted.
Minister Kabbah further told the Seminar that Trade and investment were no longer zero-sum games, adding that in an interconnected world, partnerships must be premised on shared benefit and sustainable impact.
“Sierra Leone is open for business. Our government has enacted bold reforms to improve the ease of doing business, fight corruption, and protect investor’s rights. We have launched investment incentive packages in key sectors, especially agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, energy, and fisheries”.
The Foreign Affairs Chief iterated that Türkiye had a deep and expanding footprint in Africa, and Sierra Leone is keen to see more Turkish businesses, farmers, hoteliers, tech entrepreneurs, and investors in Sierra Leone.
“The road ahead is promising. Let us craft it with intention. We invite you to come to Sierra Leone not just to invest, but also to belong. To become part of our transformation story. To witness firsthand the dynamism of our youth”, he concluded.
